The Best Time of Year to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
- Autumn (August to October) As the summer winds down, days become shorter and cooler. ...
- Winter (November to March) Winter is the best time of year to visit Alaska and see the northern lights. ...
- Spring (April to May) As the sunlight and warmth return to Alaska, your chances of seeing the northern lights slowly decrease.
Why is Alaska the best place for Northern Lights trip?
When should I plan my trip to see the Northern Lights?
- It’s dark at night: September through March it’s dark enough to see the Northern Lights at reasonable hours
- It’s close to the equinox: According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the northern lights are out more frequently near the equinox (March 21 and September 21) than they are ...
- March statistically has clearer weather than fall
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
When in September? Can you change your dates to March (statistically the best time to *try* to see the Lights)? And how many days do you have? If you stay 3 nights in Fairbanks, your chance of seeing aurora is about 80%. You might see them every night ...
Which is the best place to see the Northern Lights?
The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in the United States
- Fairbanks, Alaska. It’s almost impossible to choose just one great place to see the northern lights in Alaska. ...
- Panhandle National Forest, Idaho. For those in the Pacific Northwest, don’t overlook Idaho as an aurora destination! ...
- Acadia National Park, Maine. ...
- Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan. ...
- Cook County, Minnesota. ...
When is the best time to visit Iceland Northern Lights?
When to Visit Iceland – A Month by Month Breakdown
- January in Iceland. January in Iceland is cold and dark. ...
- February in Iceland. It isn’t much warmer in February, but the chance of rain and snow decreases. ...
- March in Iceland. March is still cold with occasional rainy days. ...
- April in Iceland. ...
- May in Icelan d. ...
- June in Icelan d. ...
- July in Iceland. ...
- August in Iceland. ...
- September in Iceland. ...
- October in Iceland. ...
Where is the best place to see the northern lights in Alaska?
Fairbanks, AlaskaFairbanks, Alaska, United States The city of Fairbanks, in Alaska, is often cited as the best place to see the Northern Lights in the United States. It's home to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, which issues forecasts on Aurora viewing conditions.
When can you see the northern lights in Alaska in 2021?
When is the best time to see the northern lights? Fairbanks' Aurora Season is from August 21 to April 21 and the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough.
What months can you see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks Alaska?
Fairbanks' Aurora Season runs from August 21 to April 21 – one of the best times to watch the northern lights in Alaska because the Northern Lights are most visible! During this time, the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough.
What is the best month to visit Alaska?
JulyJuly in Alaska For many people, the answer to the question “When is the best time to go to Alaska?” is July. With wildlife fully active, all trails accessible, long days and Alaska's warmest average temperatures, July can be the best month to visit Alaska.
Which is better Anchorage or Fairbanks?
Anchorage has a big edge with over 300,000 residents and Fairbanks sits around 32,000. Anchorage has a much larger airport with more planes flying to it daily. And overall there's more to do in Anchorage as it's really the only major city in the state.
Do the northern lights happen every night?
Auroras happen in every month but because they're impossible to see against the super-light late night summer skies far up north, our trips to see them tend to take place when the night skies are properly dark.
Can you see the Northern Lights every night in Alaska?
Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage - but not in the summer. The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. Views are best from September to April.
Are the Northern Lights better in Alaska or Iceland?
If you're wondering if Iceland or Alaska is better for viewing the Northern Lights. The answer is that both offer incredible opportunities. The ideal position for viewing the Aurora Borealis is north of 65 degrees latitude.
Can you see Northern Lights in Denali?
Denali is a great location for viewing the aurora because we are located at a far northern latitude and because there is very limited light pollution.
What should you avoid in Alaska?
20 Things Everyone In Alaska Should Avoid At All CostsFarmed seafood. Flickr/fs999. ... Or buying fish in general. ... Even feeding your dogs farmed fish. ... Eating hot dogs. ... Camping without a view. ... Snacking on chips from the lower 48. ... Shopping at big corporate box stores. ... Drinking wine that isn't from Alaska.More items...•
What is the coldest month in Alaska?
JanuaryAnchorage's coldest month is January when the average temperature overnight is 9.3°F.
Is it better to visit Alaska in May or September?
The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer months. While our summer season is short, it is the driest, warmest time to visit. Starting mid May and ending mid September you are sure to see the best the State of Alaska has to offer...
When can you see the Northern Lights in Alaska 2023?
MARCH 18-22, 2023AURORA VIEWING TOUR ALASKA MARCH 18-22, 2023.
Is it good to visit Alaska in January?
You could stay at the Best Western for your whole trip, but it is not a great place for viewing the Northern Lights. Too much light pollution and the surrounding trees block the horizon.
When and where is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
The best time to see the northern lights are on dark, clear nights in the winter months and close to a New Moon. Generally, from September to April are the best viewing months. To ensure you get the best from this natural light show, you should start gazing upwards several hours after sundown.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Alaska in February?
However, for the savvy traveler and the hearty souls, seeing the northern lights in Alaska can be done with just a little planning. The best time to see the northern lights is late February through the end of March. This is prime time because the skies are generally clear, and get dark at night.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska?
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska is between mid-September and early April. During that time, the nights are long and dark, which makes it easier to see the lights. In September and October the weather is not cold yet, and while clear skies are not as reliable as in the Spring, the past few years have had incredibly colorful ...
How many nights can you see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks?
The more time you spend around Fairbanks in the winter, the greater the chance of seeing the aurora. In fact, the northern lights are visible four out of five nights during the season up here—as long as the skies are clear.
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights?
Where is the Best Place in Alaska to See the Northern Lights? Fairbanks is renowned as the best place to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. The combination of the city’s proximity to the Arctic Circle and its great infrastructure (airports, hotels, restaurants, and so on) has made it a premier destination for seeing the aurora borealis.
Can you see the Northern Lights from the city lights?
While visitors and residents can see northern lights frequently right from town, many hotels and tour operators drive people away from the city lights so that they can get a better view of the incredible aurora borealis.
When is the best time to see the Aurora Borealis?
Simply put, the best time to see the aurora borealis is during cold months. This time usually ranges from September to March. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature drops. Although the aurora technically occurs year-round, dark, cold night skies provide ...
How long are the Northern Lights active?
Typically, the aurora will be highly active for 2-3 years on both sides of the solar maximum. This means that the 2016-2017 season will be a stunning display of the aurora.
What causes the Northern Lights?
If you’re trying to decide on the best time to see the Aurora Borealis, take the year into consideration as well! The northern lights are caused by the sun’s charged particles reacting with particles in the earth’s atmosphere. The more solar activity, the more brilliant the displays will be. For a more scientific explanation, every ...
Where to stay for Northern Lights Ecotour?
On the Northern Lights Ecotour, guests stay near Fairbanks, Alaska while chasing the aurora. Though Fairbanks has Alaska’s biggest population, the city lights don’t impact visibility of the night sky from our secluded lodge located on a private reserve outside of the cityIn fact, Fairbanks is one of the world’s most popular destinations to see ...
Where are the Northern Lights in Alaska?
The main auroral band usually crosses the state in an arc north of the Alaska Range. So this interior city and the surrounding area (including Chena Hot Springs) is probably the state’s sweet spot for northern lights viewing. It’s where the frequency of bright displays dovetails with ease of accommodations and travel logistics.
Where to see the Northern Lights?
Gaze up at the northern lights from your private Igloo, just north of Fairbanks. Borealis Basecamp. See the Northern Lights from these elegant, clear-roofed igloos, just outside Fairbanks — they’re the only ones in North America. See Details.
Where do Auroras occur?
Auroras may occur even more often in and beyond the Brooks Range —Bettles, Coldfoot, Wiseman, Fort Yukon, Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay) and Utqiaġvik (formerly known as Barrow.) Here's a cozy wilderness lodge we recommend. But don’t count out southern Alaska!
Why Alaska?
How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing The Lights?
- There’s no guarantee, of course: Clouds may cover them, or they may simply not show up in your location. Fortunately, there are a couple ways to greatly improve your chances of seeing the aurora: 1. Plan 5 - 7 days for your tripand dedicate at least 3 nights to looking for the lights, so that you, too, will have a 90% chance of seeing them. It can work as a three- or four-day trip centered …
What's An Aurora Vacation like?
- Think of it as a quest. You are trying to witness one of the grandest spectacles in nature. The aurora can be elusive and must be pursued. It’s an adventure! (With a huge payoff.) You’re going to be up late. Most tours focus on the hours between 10pm and 3am. Many tour operators will provide large parkas and bunny boots to keep you warm, as well as warm beverages and light sn…
Other Tips
- Don’t completely count out Southcentral Alaska! This area—Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, and the Kenai—can all boast nights with terrific auroral displays; they just don’t happen as frequently as th...
- Southeast Alaskaalso experiences auroras, but the frequency falls off the further south you go. Add in the frequency of clouds in this region and it’s best not to travel here if your primary go…
- Don’t completely count out Southcentral Alaska! This area—Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, and the Kenai—can all boast nights with terrific auroral displays; they just don’t happen as frequently as th...
- Southeast Alaskaalso experiences auroras, but the frequency falls off the further south you go. Add in the frequency of clouds in this region and it’s best not to travel here if your primary goal i...
- Pack the right clothing. The aurora’s 7-month season runs from late summer to early spring, and nighttime temperatures range from the summery 60’s to subzero. Explore detailed advice on picking the...
- Get local advice. Check out our Alaska aurora tips and Kory’s Fairbanks Aurora Advice.
